The aim of the present paper was to quantify expectations of wheelchair-dependency
in patients recently diagnosed with MS (n = 101) and their partners (n
= 78).

Expectations focused on the risk and seriousness of becoming wheelchair-dependent
in 2 years, 10 years or lifetime.

Expectations were compared with natural
history data, compared between patients and their partners, and related
to clinical characteristics.

Our results show that patients overestimated
their 2-year and 10-year risks of wheelchair-dependency, but underestimated
their lifetime risks.

A large number of patients were uncertain about their
2-year risk, even those with no or only minimal disability [Expanded Disability
Status Scale (EDSS) <3.0].

One-third of the patients perceived the 10-year
and lifetime risk to be 50%, which, as they explained in the interviews,
reflected their uncertainty: they did not know what to expect - it might
happen or not.

Patients with more functional limitations had higher perceptions
of risk, but lower perceptions of seriousness.

Concordance in perceived
risk and seriousness between patients and partners was moderate.

The overestimation
of the short-term risks and the substantial differences in expectations
within couples warrant further research on the impact of expectations on
their treatment decisions and psychological well-being.